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Mercury Report

How Many Blades Do You Need on a Propeller?How Many Blades Do You Need on a Propeller?

When considering propellers, many boat owners get fixated on speed. They assume a prop that will make their boat go faster must be better.

It’s more important to consider how a propeller can impact the entire boating experience. Speed is one element of that experience, but so are acceleration, economy, comfort and boat handling.

That’s one reason Mercury Marine offers a wide range of propellers, including models with three blades, four blades and even five blades. Each design is intended to enhance overall performance in certain applications to make a boat work its best on the water.

Let’s look at how the number of blades affects propeller performance.


Mercury Report

Tips for Storing Your Boat for the WinterTips for Storing Your Boat for the Winter

No one is ever happy at the thought of stowing away the fishing rods, tackle and fishing boat for the winter months. But facts are facts: It’s about to get too cold for boating in many corners of the nation. That means it’s time to prep the boat and all your gear for winter storage.

Most boats spend the offseason in dry storage on land. While there are several elements to preparing a boat for dry storage, the primary job is to eliminate water from the boat’s systems and keep water from getting in during the ensuing months. Water can add excessive weight to your rig, saturate and ruin fabrics and foams, and cause freeze-damage, which is the greatest risk of all.


Mercury Report

Everything You Need to Know to Winterize a Mercury OutboardEverything You Need to Know to Winterize a Mercury Outboard

Correctly preparing your outboard motor for the off-season will help insure that it’s ready to go next spring. In cold climates, freezing weather can cause costly damage to an engine that isn’t winterized properly.

The end of the boating season is a great time to take care of annual maintenance that will keep your outboard running reliably. Whether you do the job yourself or take your outboard to an Authorized Mercury Marine dealer for service, spending a little time and money today can save a lot of both come spring.


Mercury Marine Report

How to Properly Care and Clean Your Vinyl Boat SeatsHow to Properly Care and Clean Your Vinyl Boat Seats

A boat’s vinyl seats might look and feel spectacular when the boat is brand new, but they can quickly deteriorate as sun, salt spray, stains, mold and mildew take their toll. Preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your cushions looking great and feeling supple because once mildew or sun damage gets a foothold, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to bring vinyl back to its original glory.

Here’s the good news: Caring for vinyl is simple, and it all boils down to keeping your seat cushions clean and protected from the sun.

Cleaning Boat Vinyl

It’s important to take special care when cleaning modern marine vinyl, which comes from the factory already treated with antimicrobial additives. These do a better job than any aftermarket product at protecting the fabric against mold and mildew, so you don’t want to inadvertently scrub them away with harsh chemical cleaners or a stiff scrub brush. The best practice is to wash down vinyl with gentle soapy water and a soft rag every time you use the boat. If you skip this step, small contaminants will work their way into the vinyl’s surface over time, providing mold and mildew a foothold to begin growing.